Situated in West Vancouver, BC, the home is situated on a creek with headwaters from the top of Cypress Mountain. The property has a unique rushing waterway that acts as a green corridor for wildlife; its lush vegetation also provides privacy and cooling. Preserving the site’s natural condition was integral and necessary to begin the design process and permitting.

We wanted the home to feel like a natural connection to the peaceful nature of the lush, verdant landscape it is nestled within. While focusing on meeting the stringent passive house criteria, the initial design met all the requirements but sat somewhat lifeless in the first architectural iteration. We decided to revaluate the design and build without the strict standards in place temporarily-what would happen if we designed just for the sake beauty?

Life in a Passive House is extremely efficient- requiring only a very small fraction of the energy required of a conventional home. Its footprint is so light- generating only as much energy as it uses.  They consume up to 90 per cent less heating and cooling energy than conventional buildings. We installed renewable a energy solar photovoltaic (solar panels) system so that the building generates all the energy needs.

Architecture: Burgers Architecture Inc

Landscape Design: Ron Rule Consultants

Structural Engineer: Luiz Leon & Associates

Geotech: Phillips & Associates Engineering Consultants Ltd.

Energy Consultant: Ecolighten

Passive House Consultant: Stitch Consulting & Design Inc

Electrical: Voltech Systems Ltd.

Construction: CB Developments

Furniture (Unless Otherwise Noted): Inform Interiors

Photos: Martin Tessler